Eli's birthday week!

Monday: We ran to the mall after school and said hi to the cute puppies. Eleanor loves walking around and I can see it in her eyes that she can't wait to run.

Tuesday: Eli woke up and was excited to be 6!! It was a happy day. I get so emotional when my children have a birthday. I looked through pictures of the day Eli was born and I'll never forget holding him for the first time. Eli ran downstairs and wanted to open up his presents. 

Captain Crunch, a new watch, a remote control car and a book were his gifts this year!

It snowed on his birthday!! 

We went to the Y and swam together and then played basketball in the gym.

We ran home and had lunch before rushing off to take Eli to school. He had a music performance and Austin, Eleanor and I enjoyed watching his little class sing. One of the songs was "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." I cried as I thought about my Eli. He is a bright light to all those around him. Several of the parents told me how said their child is sad to hear Eli is moving. It was sweet. After the concert, we went outside and enjoyed recess with Eli's class.

We went back to the classroom and heard his class sing to him! 

After school, Eli decorated his birthday cake while wearing his birthday hat.

The Green's joined us for a pizza dinner and then we got Thai ice cream for dessert.

It was a happy birthday indeed! Eli missed his dad being with us, but thanks to FaceTime, Aaron was able to chat with Eli on his birthday!

Wednesday: We had the Mill kids over while Krissi went to a viewing. Eleanor loves playing with other girls. 

Austin and I have been playing Go Fish in the afternoons while Eleanor naps and Eli is at school. He's gotten so great at recognizing his numbers. It's fun to play this little game with him. I love our one on one time together. Austin got his 4 year old shots this week and he keeps asking when it's his turn for kindergarten. I keep telling him I'm never going to let him go to school!! 

Thursday night I was able to attend the temple. I was so emotional as I know it may be a while before I'm back to worship at the Denver temple. I've felt so close to my grandparents and I've walked the halls and thought about them serving in the temple. One of my childhood memories of my grandparents will always been visiting them in Denver at their condo when they would serve in the temple. Aaron and I were also sealed at this temple after his graduation. 

Friday: We met Alex and her family in Castle Rock and went hiking and played at the park together. Eleanor and I got sunburned! Oops.

We ended our time together with delicious ice cream.

Friday evening Eli's school had an art show. I loved meeting his art teacher and seeing all the art in the hallways. Eli picked this picture of the gold fish to display in the show.

We went around to see the other art projects including these shoe designs by the 6th graders. 

Eli's school is having a Mother's Day tea party this week and Eli was so excited to give me this invitation. 

It's MAY! This is a big month for us - we're excited to head to Maryland for Aaron's graduation and for Aaron to be finished with training. We'll then close on our house May 29 and head for Kansas City. We've been busy trying to get a home from a distance - we had an inspection on a home on Monday but after getting the results back, we decided to walk away from the home. We have an inspection on another house tomorrow that's 3 minutes from the temple and church! We're thrilled about the location and we'll see how everything goes. I shared in my testimony today that when Aaron and I were in Kansas City, our relator drove us by the temple and I immediately felt peace that we'll be lead to where we are supposed to be. I know that to be true!